At the end of August, President João Lourenço promulgated two laws that significantly restrict civil liberties, including freedom of association and assembly and freedom of expression. The Law on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services imposes prison sentences of up to 25 years for vandalism of public goods and services or the promotion thereof. A ‘legal entity’ (e.g. a civil society organisation or a political party) found liable can be dissolved. Its aim, according to the government, is to prevent ‘chaos and violence’ at protests, but legal experts say its broad provisions and draconian punishments are likely to have a chilling effect. The National Security Law compels Angolans to collaborate with the national security apparatus, requiring them to communicate knowledge of any threats to national security. Failure to comply with this obligation attracts criminal liability. The law was, however, shorn of several of its controversial draft provisions, including expansive security service search powers and government controls over online media.

Sources: Law on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services,  National Security Law, Deutsche Welle, ISS Africa, International IDEA  

At the end of January, the National Assembly gave preliminary (general) approval to a new national security law. The law was a proposal from the President. It will now continue through the legislative process in the coming weeks. The new law would concentrate control over security services in the presidency. It also expands the powers of the security services to conduct searches without warrants and to set up surveillance equipment. The government would also be empowered to take action against online media that it construes as endangering national security, and to fully shut down the Internet in Angola.

Sources: Assembleia Nacional, Novo Jornal, Daily Maverick, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle

Police and demonstrators clashed in the Angolan city of Saurimo (capital of the Lunda Sul province) on 8 October. The motivation for the demonstration was not completely clear, but press reports connect the demonstration to a movement that advocates for the independence of the eastern part of Angola, including Lunda Sul. The police confronted the demonstrators as they moved toward the city centre, and dispersed the crowd using tear gas, claiming that the demonstrators had begun to throw rocks and other objects at the police. At least 130 people (and perhaps as many as 200) were arrested. This most recent unrest follows a forceful police response to protests against cuts to fuel subsidies in June, and an August report from Human Rights Watch highlighting violence against political activists.

Sources: News24, Jornal de Angola, Ver Angola, Deutsche Welle (1), Voice of America, Deutsche Welle (2), Human Rights Watch

On 24 August Angola held an election for the National Assembly, and indirectly for the President. Observers from the African Union (AU) reported that balloting was carried out competently, but noted concerns about the opportunities for parties to hold events and regarding the transparency of an audit of voter registration lists. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has ruled Angola since independence, won the majority of the seats in the legislature and thus retains the presidency as well. However, the main opposition party, the Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) increased its vote share from 27 per cent in 2017 to 44 per cent and doubled its number of seats in the National Assembly. UNITA challenged the result, alleging irregularities in the vote totals reported by the electoral authority. This challenge was rejected by the Constitutional Court on 9 September. The justices of the Constitutional Court were all appointed by MPLA presidents.

Sources: British Broadcasting Corporation, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, Africa News